Information about Schools Forum

Background

The Government requires that
each local authority (LA) maintain a Schools Forum to represent its
schools' views on matters relating to the total Dedicated Schools
Grant (DSG). The DSG funds a range of responsibilities including
delegated budgets to schools, plus a number
of centrally managed functions relating largely to the
provision of support for pupils with special educational needs
(SEN), out-County and independent SEN placements and funding for
early years in private, voluntary and independent
nurseries.

Purpose of the
Forum

Schools Forum is made up of representatives from
schools and academies, but with some representation from other
non-school organisations, such as nursery and 14
-19education providers. The forum acts as a
consultative body on some issues and a decision
making body on others, some of which is prescribed by
Regulations.

The forum acts in a consultative role
for:

·Changes to the local funding
formula

·Proposed changes to the operation of the
minimum funding guarantee
Changes to or new contracts affecting schools

·Arrangements for pupils with special
educational needs, in pupil referral units and in early years
provision

The forum is responsible for decisions
on:

·How much funding may be centrally
retained within the Dedicated Schools Grant for particular service areas

·Any proposed carry forward of deficits on
central spend from one year to the next

·Proposals to de-delegate funding from
maintained primary and secondary schools for specified
responsibilities (set out in the regulations)

·Changes to the scheme of financial
management

Powers &
Duties

The schools forum is an advisory body with some limited
decision making powers, established to represent schools views to
the local authority.

There is a duty placed on
all members of the Schools Forum to seek views from other groups
and to facilitate feedback arrangements.

Membership

Although made up mainly of
representatives from schools, both maintained and academies,
it also includes "non-school" members, representing relevant
bodies, Diocesan representatives, representatives from School
Consultative Committees, Early Years PVIs, 14-19 Strategic
Partnership and a Parent Governor representative from the Select
Committee considering education issues.

The Schools Forum is
required to operate under a formal constitution that covers the
detail of its membership, full terms of reference, operating
procedures and arrangements for paying expenses to
members. Find the
Constitution of the Schools Forum.

Schools Forum
Guidance

The Education and Skills
Funding Agency issue guidance for Schools Forums. The latest guidance was published on 29 September
and is accessible from the links below.